Catalina, the Old Flame
The after-fight party was in full swing. He had ensured that not everyone was allowed in. Tables had been overpriced on purpose but there were still a lot of guests he would have preferred to throw out.
Now the hall had been tastefully set up with lights that allowed guests to see what was going on but muted enough to ensure their privacy. The entire room was done up elegant
He grunted, he must congratulate Danielle. She had done an excellent job.
His wife turned to look up at him, her soft brown eyes questioning. Swooping down, he kissed her hard on her lush mouth and felt her stiffen and then relax. When he raised his head, he was pleased to see that she was pink with embarrassment. His little woman hated exhibitions of passion in public. But he wanted the world to know that she belonged to him; this beautiful woman with the long brown hair and the luminous brown eyes was HIS and only his.
‘Lucien,’ she said softly, looking, he thought appreciatively, looking exactly like a woman who had been thoroughly ravished.
There was a red mark on her neck half hidden by her hair, a very visible one on her breast and he watched as she blushed, noticing his eyes on the love bites.
Yes, he wanted to stamp his possession on her, brand her as his.
For the entire world to see.
***
Proserpina
I felt my face flame as I stood beside Lucien, his arm wrapped around my waist, hugging me to him. We had had to leave the bedroom where we had made love in such a wild manner. Danielle had called, reminding Lucien that the guests were in the hall, waiting for him. A quick shower later, I had come out to discover that my husband had arranged for a cocktail party gown to be delivered for me. The mint green one-shoulder neckline and ruched detail on the sheer silk dress left me gasping. It was also extremely expensive.
“You needed something special, woman.’ He grunted as I hugged him, kissing his hard jaw.
The soft silk dress clung to me, hugging my figure and I felt Lucien’s eyes devouring me as I stood before the mirror, staring at the seductive figure that stared back.
‘You need this as well,’ he said in a deep baritone, meeting my eyes, indicating a package on the dresser.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
A slim necklace, encrusted with diamonds and a tiny key as a pendant. He slipped it around my neck. The small key came to rest in the valley between my plump breasts and Lucien lowered his silver head to kiss the mounds of my breasts, sinking his teeth into my softness, making me gasp.
When he lifted his head, he met my eyes and I felt my body bloom with heat in response to the possessive gaze that swept over me.
“To show that I own you.’ He growled and kissed me hard as I opened my mouth to protest.
***
Now I stood beside him, as the guests milled around before they drifted away to their tables for dinner. Lucien was watching me.
“You feeling okay, woman?’ he growled, his raspy voice inches away from my ear.
I looked up at him, puzzled. I had been watching an older man with two women, one of who was dressed in a sheer white costume that revealed her body in a vulgar way. She was insisting on climbing onto his lap while the other woman sat, looking bored, they were all drunk.
Or high.
Or both.
‘” Am I okay?’ I asked, perplexed. What did he mean, I thought, confused, I had not been the one in a fight. ‘What do you mean?’
He bent to kiss me again, his mouth lingering.
“You are carrying my son.’ He said softly. My cheeks flamed, damn the man, He was excessively chauvinistic.
As I began to speak, he silenced me, placing a finger on my lips. He touched the key on my chest and said,
“Not now, woman. I have an image to safeguard.’
I giggled, I felt so happy. As I turned, the smile still on my face, I met the eyes of the man I had noticed earlier, the one with the gelled hair. A shiver of apprehension ran through me. He was watching me and the clinical manner of his gaze was unsettling.
***
Sophie appeared before me, shutting out his gaze and I smiled. She was like a lifesaver, always getting there when I was feeling unsure. In a matter of hours, I had come to understand that I really liked and trusted this spunky young woman with the frizzy red hair and freckled face, whose green eyes were smiling at me.
‘Juice for you, Ma’am.’ She said now and I smiled as I gulped down the drink thirstily.
Lucien watched me indulgently. He had been sipping from his tumbler, having reduced his drinking considerably over the last year. I had Ria to thank for that. My baby daughter had bulldozed him into giving up his severe drinking habit.
Smiling at Sophie, I said,
“Call me Proserpina, please.’
She smiled and as Lucien turned to talk to a guest who had wandered over, she whispered,
“Ignore that creep. He is Paul Worthington and a b*stard.’
I smiled but my mind was already analysing the information.
Paul Worthington.
I had heard Shark mention him. He must be in the flesh trade then.
I looked over at him. The man smiled as he saw the expression of revulsion on my face. He raised his glass as though to acknowledge my thoughts. I shuddered. There was something evil and unpleasant that radiated off him.
Lucien turned to look down at me,
“What is it?’ he asked, concern in his tight voice,
“Jeez, Boss, ‘drawled Danielle who appeared at my elbow. She was quite drunk and I groaned inwardly.
“Don’t overdo it! It’s not like she’s carrying your first baby or something!’
I flinched. And wanted to be swallowed up by the ground. Her words though slurred, had carried to a few guests who were standing around, watching us curiously. Now one of them, a large man with a prominent belly and a woman draped over him, exclaimed, his voice loud, incredulous and excited,
“Delano! You got your wife pregnant again?’
Lucien nodded, tight-lipped. I sensed his deep displeasure. It was something private; he would not have wanted to advertise it in this manner.
He pulled me to his side, protectively.
A spate of ribald comments ensured.
I felt my face flame and Grace dragged Danielle away, worriedly. Schwartz had turned up on my side, magically. His nostrils flared in annoyance.
Some of the men were staring openly at me, and I heard a voice.
“…body meant for breeding.’
I turned my face into Lucien’s shoulder.
Another voice.
Louder and lewd.
‘Does Catalina know? Or is she also …?’ followed by cackles of laughter.
And then, a loud shout from one of the men,
“There she is, Catalina the C*nt.’
Schwartz murmured in anger,
“Right on time.’
I turned to the door where Catalina was making a spectacular entrance.